Many studies have shown the dangers of co-using Alcohol and cannabis. Co-use increases the risk of harm and the negative consequences of substance dependence. Alcohol and cannabis co-use is very common among college students especially. There is a lack of data on how the dose of THC affects co-use and how the amount of each substance the individual consumes affects the overall consequences of co-use. This study aims to explore how co-use patterns, sex of the individual, and THC dose relate to products and the symptoms that come along with cannabis dependence.
The study consisted of 87 individuals who were all visiting legal cannabis dispensaries. Each participant completed self-report surveys online and received $10 gift cards as compensation for their time. Participants’ demographics were measured, as well as the frequency, quantity, strain, and type of cannabis product they were purchasing. Cannabis use disorder was assessed via Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT). Alcohol use was measured by asking participants how many drinks they consumed daily during a heavy week in the past three months and taking an average. Participants were also asked to give three positive and three negative consequences that they have experienced from cannabis use.
The results of this study showed that those who reported co-use had higher CUDIT scores. Using Alcohol first and cannabis last (AFCL) was also related to higher CUDIT scores and was more common in females. AFCL was also most prevalent when it came to predicting substance use dependence. The study also agreed with a preexisting analysis that males increased the urge to use cannabis at rising breath alcohol levels, but females did not. Females are shown to develop cannabis dependence faster and experience more withdrawals. This study indicates that co-use order patterns are related to substance use outcomes, and more research needs to be done to better understand the correlation.
Takeaway: This study shows that co-use order patterns are related to substance use outcomes and the important for more research to be done to better understand the correlation.